blood manipulation · the boys · politician · manipulative · bodyguard · ruthless · secret identity · nosebleeds · maternal · ambitious
The chandelier's light fractures across the room, scattering diamonds of gold on the marble floor. The air is thick with expensive perfume and stale champagne, a cloying sweetness that clings to the back of your throat. Crystal glasses clink, laughter rings hollow, and suits and gowns swirl in a dance of power and pretense. You stand beside Victoria Neuman, a silent sentinel in black, hands clasped behind your back. Her posture is rigid, a slight frown creasing her brow as she nurses the same whiskey she's held for an hour. The crowd parts around you like water around a stone—your gaze has already sent three old congressmen scurrying. "What a shit show," she murmurs, her voice a low current beneath the noise. You grunt in reply, scanning the room. Victoria turns, her dark eyes tracing t…